How to Access the Dark Web Safely

Despite its menacing name, the Dark Web is not illegal per se, nor is it unlawful to access it. However, the undeniable fact is that most of the activities that happen on the Dark Web are related to criminal actions. Details for credit cards carrying a balance up to $1,000 cost $150 on average, while stolen online banking login details (for an account with a balance of at least $100) go for just $40. Essentially, the Dark Web uses a cluster of nodes and networks called “darknets.” These include — but aren’t limited to — peer-to-peer networks — small and big — including Tor and Freenet. The risks of the dark web range from sites infected with malware or other cyber threats to photos of disturbing images. Government cyber teams can take such websites down, arrest the owners and then use the website to track and follow users that show activity on the website.

Here’s How You Can Stay Safe When Using The Dark Web

Accessing the dark web can be a daunting task, especially for those who are new to it. However, with the right precautions, it is possible to access the dark web safely.

What is the Dark Web?

The dark web is a part of the internet that is not indexed by search engines. It is a network of websites that can only be accessed using special software, such as the Tor browser. The dark web is often associated with illegal activities, but it is also used by people who want to maintain their privacy and anonymity online.

Is Tor’s Dark Web Illegal?

One disadvantage of VPN over Tor is that you might get slower connection speeds due to the combined overhead of the Tor network and VPN encryption. These are Linux-based open-source operating systems that prioritize security and can be configured to work seamlessly with the Tor network. They offer greater control over your privacy settings and often have a more extensive range of security features than mainstream operating systems. By default, the main add-ons, HTTPS Everywhere, and NoScript are already enabled.

Using the Tor Browser

Is The Dark Web Safe?

The Tor browser is the most popular way to access the dark web. It is a free, open-source browser that routes your internet connection through a series of servers, making it difficult for anyone to track your online activity. To use the Tor browser, follow these steps:

Let’s take a closer look at the best VPNs you can use to safely access the dark web. The Tor network was created by the US military in the 1990s for anonymous communication between spies over the internet. That effort was never fully realized, but the US military published the code under a free license in 2004.

1. Download the Tor browser from the official website.
2. Install the Tor browser on your computer.

Visitors to the dark web should exercise extreme caution when downloading files, as they may infect your devices with viruses, malware, trojans, ransomware or other malicious files. At a minimum, users should ensure that their cybersecurity defenses are activated and up-to-date. Users of the dark web should also realize that although their activity is technically anonymous, associating with people who are conducting illegal activities can have legal implications. The open web, also called the surface web, includes any public web content that is indexed by search engines. Web pages on the open web will show up in search results on sites like Google and Bing. While a large volume of traffic visits on the open web every day, it only represents 4% of the content on the internet.

3. Open the Tor browser and wait for it to connect to the Tor network.
4. Use the Tor browser to access dark web websites.

Our Network

Protecting Your Identity

When accessing the dark web, it is important to protect your identity. Here are some tips to help you stay anonymous:

• The term “deep web” refers to all web pages that that are unidentifiable by search engines.
• Your activities on the Dark Web can be traced or monitored by third parties, such as government agencies, hackers, or cybercriminals.
• Everything on the surface web is easily crawled and indexed by search engines, which means you can access them via a Google search, for example.
• Of course, you can also find plenty of illegal items such as hacked Netflix accounts, stolen Social Security numbers, credit card account numbers, firearms, and drugs, too.
• Upon successful installation, you’ll be prompted to configure the browser.

• Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet connection and hide your IP address.
• Create a new email address specifically for use on the dark web.
• Use a strong, unique password for each dark web website you visit.
• Avoid sharing personal information on the dark web.

The moderators enforce a strict policy against posting links to illegal products or services, so you’re more likely to find safer dark web addresses here. Mail providers Mailbox.org and Protonmail can also be accessed via an .onion link. This may be welcome news to those in states where security services have attempted to block ‘anonymous’ email websites like these from the open web. Since Tor can be used to access websites governments try to block, the dark web can be a useful tool for people living under dictatorships to access western media. There are also popular free legal websites which can be accessed via a .onion address.

It is considered an outright necessity by some in order to encourage free speech, maintain a free press and support the work of law enforcement and government agencies. Contradictions are very common around the Darknet, as you can find security experts and criminal hackers on the same discussion board exchanging ideas. I opened up the HiddenWiki and tried to pick the most interesting sites I could find.

Conclusion

Accessing the dark web can be a valuable experience, but it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect your privacy and security. By using the Tor browser and following the tips outlined in this article, you can access the dark web safely and anonymously.